Government refuses to make North West roads safer

North West Euro MP and EU Transport Chief Brian Simpson has called on the Tory-LibDem government to reconsider its decision to opt out of plans that would allow the authorities to crack down on foreign drivers speeding on North West roads.

In Brussels on Friday 4th March, Britain was the only EU country refusing to support the new measure, which would enable the UK to crackdown on the estimated 79,000 speeding and red light offences committed annually by foreign motorists on British roads. 

Drivers of non-British vehicles remain free to commit speeding and drink-driving offences, drive through red lights and not wear a seatbelt with limited fear of prosecution. The new European measure, which received almost unanimous support in other EU countries, permits governments to share information on road traffic offences so that dangerous drivers can be prosecuted in their home country upon return.

Mr Simpson has been a consistent champion of stronger road safety measures in the EU and is an ardent supporter of the legislation, which he steered through the EU in his capacity as Chairman of the European Parliament Transport Committee.

"The UK has always taken a lead on road safety in Europe and I am now thoroughly disappointed to see this blatant and unilateral attempt by the Government to dismiss the value of European cooperation in this field", said senior Labour MEP, Brian Simpson, in reaction to the decision.

"When all other EU countries are pulling together and agreeing to share the details of motorists who commit dangerous driving offences on their roads, the British Government refuses to be part of the new system. The Tory-LibDem Government are putting political dogma before people's safety on our roads", added Mr Simpson.

"The decision is outrageous if we consider the 79,000 offences committed on UK roads every year by foreign drivers that will now continue to go unpunished".

The European Transport Safety Council, which represents the UK's Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety in Brussels, has described it as "regrettable" that Britain will not play an active part in tackling the foreign drivers that make up only 5% of traffic but commit 15% of speeding offences across the EU.